Jakarta, (Antara) - Indonesian people in a number of foreign countries plan to hold a rally to express sympathy for outgoing Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), sentenced on Tuesday to two years' imprisonment by a Jakarta district court for blasphemy.
Participants in all rallies are required to wear clothing in Red and White, the national symbol.
In Toronto, Canada, Ahok sympathizers plan to gather at the Nathan Philips town square lighting candles and singing the national anthem on Friday local time, and to be dressed in black or Red and White.
On the same day in the Vancouver Art Gallery , Robson Side, in Vancouver, another group of Indonesians plan to hold a rally at 20.000 local time with poster reading ,"Vancouver Pray For Indonesia, Solidarity with Ahok.
In Perth Australia, Ahok's sympathizers plan to meet at the Sir James Mitchell Park, Ranelagh Cress, in the western Australian city on Saturday. They will raise poster reading "Calling to All WNI (Indonesian citizens), For Unity . Pak Ahok , You'll Never Walk Alone!. The fight your are waging is not only yours. Your fight is also our fight to defend Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika."
On Sunday in Sydney, in the other side of Australia , Ahok sympathizers will carry poster at the Botani Park, Sydney Opera House reading "You'll Never Walk Alone, Justice For Ahok.
In Los Angeles, the United States, a group of Indonesians also plan similar action of sympathy for Ahok in "a night of concern with Indonesia judicial system." They will light candles and pray and sing the national anthem to express concern with the Indonesian judiciary.
In Taiwan, a similar action is to be launched at the Taipei Main Station, East Taiwan on Sunday with poster reading #Taiwan Ahok, We Stand For Unity".
Jakarta, hundreds of Ahok's sympathizers rallied everyday in from of the jailhouse where Ahok is held in detention since Tuesday.
Ahok's sympathizers said the court gave the outgoing governor a sentence heavier than demanded by the public prosecutor on political intimidation.
Despite popularity , Ahok failed in hid bid for reelection to the pair of Anies Baswedan and Sandia Uno, who gained strong support parties known to be opposition to the present government of President Joko Widodo.(*)
Indonesian Abroad Express Sympathy for Detained Ahok
Jumat, 12 Mei 2017 12:51 WIB